Chandler leads Nuggets past Lakers

Denver wins season series with L.A. rivals

Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee, front, celebrates scoring on a dunk as Los Angeles Lakers forward Earl Clark reacts in the background in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver on Monday, Feb. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(
David Zalubowski
)

DENVER -- Andre Iguodala didn't even look. He just knew, because, darn it, it was that kind of night.

With his back to the basket near the paint, he received a pass and, like a hockey one-timer, flung the thing toward the basket. So what if Dwight Howard was there? Kenneth Faried soared above the 7-footer and unleashed a slam, a sixth-sense assist for Iguodala.

"Andre just had belief in me and I was like, 'You know what? I'm just going to throw it,'" Faried said. "And Dwight did get a hand on it. I was kind of nervous, but I was able to secure it with two hands and just finish it."

Fittingly in Denver's 119-108 win Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, the basket made for the Nuggets' 78th point in the paint, tying a season high.

The Nuggets were flying above the Lakers like they were playing Quidditch. Dunk! Dunk! Dunk!

"Our running game was sensational, and I think we put enough defense into the game," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "I think anytime we play the Lakers, it's a speed-versus-size game,even without Pau Gasol. I thought our guys had the extra engine to play as many minutes in the 48 that you can play fast."

The Nuggets average an NBA-best 56.8 points in the paint, but with 4:27 left in the third quarter -- yes, the third quarter -- Denver notched its 58th point in the paint. Denver finished with those 78.

The Pepsi Center, as it is against the Lakers, was also sort of like the Staples Center.

Advertisement

Hundreds of Lakers fans, even a couple who weren't obnoxious, took over certain sections of the arena, creating an intense, playoff atmosphere in mid-February.

But the Nuggets fed off it. The Nuggets entered the night a jaw-dropping 23-3 at home -- only the Spurs, at 22-2, had a better home record in the conference. And the Nuggets entered Monday winners of eight consecutive home games.

"I think our fans, as the game went on, we got in control and dominated the Lakers fans," Karl said. "It was our building. We had the energy on our side. You hear them early when it's quiet, the escalation of the volume."

Both teams are scrapping and clawing for playoff position -- the Nuggets are in a fight for fourth, while L.A. is aiming for eighth. The Nuggets are on the Memphis Grizzlies' tails.

The Nuggets' Danilo Gallinari was a late scratch, missing the big matchup because of a left thigh bruise. In his spot, Wilson Chandler got the start and was great. Battling foul trouble in the first half, "Ill Will" played only five minutes but scored seven points and had a steal. Back in the rotation in the second half, he was confident again, driving and firing, finishing with 23 points in 25 minutes, including three 3s.

"He's a good player, and gradually he'll get better confidence, better conditioning and in a better place, and he makes us very versatile, offensively and defensively," Karl said of Chandler.

Nuggets guard Ty Lawson, one of the hottest players in the conference, entered the game averaging 20.7 points and 7.6 assists in the past 19 games, while shooting 50.2 percent from the field. He was Aggressive Ty on Monday, finishing with 22 and eight.

After Kobe Bryant's scintillating 38-point effort Sunday, Nuggets coach George Karl gushed about No. 24 at the morning shootaround, explaining, "He's multitalented and can beat you many ways."

Bryant, amid the omnipresent boos, struggled in the first half. JaVale McGee blocked his shot. Andre Miller forced him to travel. Iguodala forced fadeaways even Kobe couldn't make. Bryant was 5-for-13 in the first half.

Boulder is pretty good at producing rock bands, and by "rock," we mean the in-your-face, guitar-heavy, leather-clad variety — you know, the good kind. For a prime example, look no farther than BANDITS. Full Story